Mid-Atlantic Modified Report – Week 2 & 3

SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES

STTS held their regular schedule North/South Region “Anthricit Assault” at Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, PA.  Due to Covid-19 schedule changes this event was also the opener of the North region points.   Jimmy Horton led the first 36 laps but Billy Pauch stayed in in second from the outside pole until Horton bobbled high and Pauch tucked underneath for the lead on lap 37.  Pauch checked out on Horton and drove into the victory lane and took over the South Region Points lead after 3 races.

The podium finishers were Pauch, Horton and Mike Gular who were all also top 3 on the starting grid.  The top 5 was rounded out by Tyler Dipple and Richie Pratt.  Tyler Dipple has had consistent finishes in all three STSS point’s events and is currently 2^nd in South Region Points behind point’s leader Billy Pauch Jr.

Next the Short Track Super Series moves to the Fonda speedway for a North region event the “Firecracker 50” on Wednesday night July 1 featuring both Modifieds and 602 Crates. 

BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY

6/12/19 – Opening night of the 2020 Big Diamond season saw a packed grandstand and pit area with 37 modified and 44 sportsmen drivers in attendance.  The 30 lap feature saw Umbenhauer grab the lead on lap 7 from Cale Ross only to have Craig Von Dohren quickly take the lead away on lap 9.  But a persistent Umbenhauer used the high side on a lap 22 restart to power back into the lead.  Von Dohren through a last ditch low side slider on lap 30 but it didn’t stick and Jared Umbenhauer took the opening night $4,000 win over Craig Von Dohren, Jeff Strunk, Mike Gular and Richie Pratt.

6/19/20 – The second modified points race saw 26 modified wait out a rain delay to get the event in the books after midnight on Saturday morning.  Big Diamond track regular Eddie Strada was checking out on the field early and led until a lap 22 yellow.  On the lap 22 restart it was Mike Gular using the high side to take the lead from Strada and cruise right into the winner’s circle.  The top 5 was rounded out by Alex Yankowski, Eddie Strada, Billy Pauch Jr and Jeff Strunk.

Gular not only took the win but also the season points lead with Jeff Strunk and Jared Umbenhauer rounding out the top 3 in points.

Next up for Big Diamond is the Kamp Memorial with $4,000 to win for modifieds and a full program of racing on Friday night June 26 starting at 7:45 PM.

GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

6/20/20 – Grandview opened their season with their traditional Forrest Rogers Memorial event with a $7,500 first place prize and $1,000 to take the green.  54 modifieds were on hand to attempt to qualify for the 50 lap feature.  After 6 heat races, 3 consolations, and all 18 heat qualifiers redrawing the field was set to take the green.   A parade lap mishap resulting in a 6 car tangle sent Steve Buckwalter to the pits to change a flat and the field under a red flag.   The actual race only had one yellow flag but it proved to be a turning point for the final 35 green flag run to the checkered flag.  On the lap 15 restart; it was Steve Buckwalter overtaking pole sitter and leader Billy Pauch Jr. for the lead.  From their Buckwalter compiled a commanding 3.5 second lead over second place finisher Craig Von Dohren.  The top 5 was rounded out by Ryan Watt, Jared Umbenhauer and Jeff Strunk.  Craig Von Dohren’s 2^nd place finish was from a 22^nd starting position in the 50 lap feature with only one caution flag. 

Grandview Speedway starts their 2020 points program on Saturday June 27 @ 7:30 PM with Modifieds, Sportsmen and Blast from the Past Vintage Racers.

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY

6/12/20 – Penn Can speedway opened up the 2020 point’s chase on their “Hall of Fame Inductee Night.  Brett Tonkin led the feature from green to checkered flag but a late yellow set-up a 2 lap shoot out which turned out to be a 3 car duel with Brian Malcom and Richard Smith from 9^th and 11^th starting position respectively.  On the last lap Tonkin pulled away for the win with Brian Malcom in second and Richard Smith taking 3^rd place.  The top 5 was rounded out by Alan Rudalavage and Bryon Worthing.    25 modifieds were on hand for the start of the 2020 points championship.

6/19/20 – A 22 car field was brought to green by Mike Looney and Ken Titus.  The green to checkered affair saw Joey Grammes take the lead on lap 2 and drive through lapped traffic into victory lane with Bryon Worthing, Marshall Hurd, Beth Getz and Ken Titus rounding out the top 5 for the night.

Bryon Worthing sits atop the points chase with only 30 points separating the top 7 drivers.

Penn Can’s next event is Modified triple 20’s on June 26 racing at 7:15 with Modifieds and a full regular program of racing.

GEORGETOWN SPEEDAY

6/13/20 – The Deron Rust Memorial restarted the Georgetown speedway 2020 season and track championship points program.   All 31 modifieds on the premises were offered starting positions with 28 cars taking the green.  A 3 way battle for the lead was waged between Mike Gular, Ryan Watt and Rick Laubach for the entire 33 laps.  On lap 17 Rick Laubach took the lead position and that’s where he stayed right into victory lane followed by Mike Gular in second and Ryan Watt in 3^rd.  The top 10 was rounded out by Danny Bouc, Billy Pauch, Billy Pauch Jr., Jeff Strunk, Neil Williams, David Van Horn and Jordan Watson.

Georgetown’s next scheduled event is Friday July 24^th  featuring USAC sprints, Modifieds, 602 Crates, Crate Late Models and full card of Georgetown support classes.

DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

After two consecutive weeks of rainouts DIS will get back to action on Saturday night June 27^th with modfieds, super late models and a full card of regular classes.

BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK

After two weeks of Sunday practices Bridgeport Motorsports Park is scheduled to have their opener on the brand new high bank 4/10 racing surface on Sunday June 28. 

NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY

NES has practices scheduled for Wednesday 6/24 and Saturday 6/27.